She nods and gives me a thumbs-up.
“Speaking of, we need to leave before he calls and yells at me,” Leo adds.
I frown, confused, and then it hits me. “Did you play hooky from school to see me?”
“Hooky? What’s that?”
“When you miss school and you’re not sick.”
She hunches her shoulders. “Yup. I played hooky. Uncle Leo said I could see you.”
“You’re not playing hooky, and let’s not tell anyone. You missed two hours, maybe three. Let’s go before it’s even more.”
Leo rounds his desk and pulls me into a bear hug. “I’m so glad you’re here, Madeline.”
“Same,” I murmur, then my eyes trace the wall behind him, and my body goes stiff in his arms.
He runs his hand up and down my back as I catch my breath. “Do you like it?”
“Leo…” I murmur. “It’s beautiful.”
“Why are you crying?” Claudina interrupts us.
I point toward the butterfly mural. “Happy tears, Claud.”
She smiles from ear to ear. “That’s for my mommy.”
It sure is.
A giant, intricate mural of a Claudina Agrias Butterfly is painted in muted pinks and blues, a beautiful symbol and tribute to Camila. She believed that butterflies symbolized the afterlife, and by naming her precious daughterClaudina, she ensured that her soul would live on.
Leo squeezes my hand, smiling softly. “I have a few meetings around town, and then I’ll finish the day at home. We’ll catch up tomorrow.”
“Yeah sure. Sounds good.”
“If you ever need a minute, you can lock yourself in here. That button blacks out the glass. Headphones are in the drawer.”
“Thanks?” I offer, half-laughing.
“I meditate in front of the mural every morning. Keeps me grounded and close to her.”
His words surprise me. I don’t say anything as he walks down the hall toward Claud, who’s sprinted ahead of us, waiting not so patiently for him.
“Wait!” Claud yells and then rushes back toward me.
“What’s wrong?”
“I almost forgot to give you this.” She digs into her backpack, then hands me a beautiful picture frame.
It’s a photo of me and her from this past winter when Harrison brought her to one of Mason’s playoff games. “So you can put it on your desk.”
“I love it so much.” I hug it to my chest.
I give her another kiss goodbye, and then she’s off as quickly as she came.
“Are you Madeline?”
I stand up tall and extend my hand. “I am. Madeline Cunningham.”
